October 14, 2011
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Small business and entrepreneurs add growth to our economy, and this week their contributions will be front and centre as Manitoba Small Business Week kicks off today, announced Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
Small Business Week runs from October 16 – 22 and continues to celebrate the contributions of entrepreneurs to our country and province’s economic success during the official “ Year of the Entrepreneur”. This year’s event theme, “Power Up Your Business. Invest. Innovate. Grow”, encourages entrepreneurs to attack challenges with renewed decisiveness, market awareness and creativity
“Our Government supports small business, and recognizes the significant role that entrepreneurs play in economic growth and job creation,
” said Parliamentary Secretary Glover. “Small businesses are vital to our country’s economic prosperity and we are proud to be part of initiatives that help them grow and become more competitive.
”
Small Business Week is an annual event promoting the success and growth of the small business community by providing business owners with unique opportunities to share their success stories, network, learn, and exchange innovative ideas.
“Small Business Week is a time to prepare for new challenges and opportunities,
” said Michael Selci, Vice President, Financing and Consulting, Manitoba at BDC. “The success of small and medium-sized companies is vital to the province’s economy and BDC’s mission is to provide entrepreneurs in Manitoba with the support they need to succeed.
”
Small and medium-sized businesses represent 97.5 per cent of all Canadian companies and employ the majority of workers across the country. A total of 97 per cent of the more than 102,000 small businesses in Manitoba have fewer than 50 employees, and over 90,000 people in Manitoba are self-employed.
Small Business Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and is locally supported by the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre. The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, provides comprehensive business and trade information, training, and research to support new and existing entrepreneurs in Manitoba.
More information on Small Business Week activities in Manitoba is available at
www.canadabusiness.mb.ca
For additional information, contact:
Brian Williamson
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Telephone: 204 983-6243
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
